Aya Radwan
Comedy is an excellent cure for the soul, and getting audiences to laugh has been the ultimate goal of stand-up comedians worldwide. This form of art always delivers a message and has proven to be one of the best ways to do so in different aspects of life.
Netflix has been releasing comedy specials since 2013, though the online streaming service only began to continuously release specials in 2017, with one show released each week. These specials gathered comedians with every possible style, background, and nationality, from the sarcastic and outrageous to the direct and simplistic style, succeeding year after year.
In this article, we will recommend some Netflix Comedy Specials that promise to lighten your mood and give you a well-deserved break from the burdens of life.
Netflix Comedy Specials
1. Amy Schumer presents Parental Advisory (2022)
American actress and comedy sensation, Amy Schumer, returns to Netflix for her third comedy special. Amy is the winner of a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe. She reunites with her favourite fellow comedians to talk about all aspects of family life, remarriage, having kids, and the intricate art of parenting.
2. Ali Wong: Don Wong (2022)
For her third Netflix comedy special, American actress, writer, and stand-up comedian Ali Wong returns to share her wildest fantasies with the audience, as well as her feelings about single people and monogamy. Wong has earned herself the freedom to speak without shame or flinching and a place on Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2020.
3. Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian (2022)
As an American comedian and actor with Indian roots, Aziz Ansari has his own Netflix show, Master of None, which has been airing since 2015 and has won both a Golden Globe and two Emmy awards. In this comedy special, Ansari speaks about everything pandemic, lockdown, and quarantine-related, with a side of smartphones and side gigs by celebrities.
4. Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas (2021)
Mo returns for another comedy special that will knock your socks off. Back in Houston, his hometown, Mo discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, the deliciousness of hummus, and cursing using the Arabic language, and somehow, Bradley Cooper is wedged in the middle of all these seemingly unrelated topics.
5. Chris Rock: Total Blackout The Tambourine Extended Cut (2021)
Returning after his first Netflix comedy special, American comedian and actor Chris Rock brings a unique extended cut of The Tambourine. Building on the previous version’s theme, which critics highly received, Rock continues his remarks about politics, fatherhood and infidelity. Both versions assert Rock’s ability to make you feel you’re in a therapy session while holding up the comedic side of matters.
6. Jack Whitehall: I’m Only Joking (2020)
While this isn’t the English comedian’s first comedy special on Netflix, it’s one of the most memorable. Jack’s outtake on several trends is somewhat unique, not to mention outrageously funny, and he doesn’t hold back in this comedy special. He talks about veganism, happy couples, sharing his unsuccessful relationship, living in hotels, and human stupidity, and ends with an encounter with radioactivity when he visited Chornobyl with his father.
7. George Lopez: We’ll Do It For Half (2020)
George Lopez is one of the highly contributing comedians to the Latino community in the US, working hard to always give insight into Mexican American culture. He received several awards for his work, such as the Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television in 2003. In this comedy special, he tackles the past and future of the Latino culture in the US, getting old, and some things about his strict relatives.
8. Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020)
American comedian Taylor Tomlinson is one of the youngest comedians to have their comedy special, and this is her first one with Netflix. In this comedy special, she stated she was already over her 20s, feeling too old to party yet still too young to settle down. Taylor shreds her own life decisions in this quick-witted and hilarious special. Tomlinson is so funny; she was recognised on Forbes’s list of 30 Under 30.
9. Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself (2019)
American actor and stand-up comedian Jeff Dunham has become one of the most renowned ventriloquists in recent years. Jeff and his old friends, Walter, Peanut, Bubba J, Achmed, and Jose Jalapeno, take the stage in Dallas to share witty and funny remarks on Jeff himself as well as the different sides of American culture.
10. Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
Entertainment Weekly considered Sykes, an American actress and stand-up comedian, one of the top 25 funniest people in the US in 2004. In this comedy special, which Wanda wrote for Netflix, she discusses different life aspects. From politics, racism, and reality TV up to the secret she promised she’d take to the grave, this comedy special is stomach-achingly funny.
11. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All (2019)
An American actor, comedian, and producer of multiple comedy specials for several platforms, including Netflix, Gabriel Iglesias, otherwise known as Fluffy, introduces his second comedy special on Netflix. This time, Fluffy discusses the exciting years of teenage boys, taking his son as an example, as well as encounters with different famed characters, such as Chris Rock, Snoop Dogg, and Vicente Fernandez.
12. Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia (2018)
The current host of the late-night satirical show, The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, is a writer and stand-up comedian from South Africa. His career began in his home country, and he became one of the most successful stand-up comedians in the US. In this comedy special, Trevor shares wisdom passed down from his mother to him, tacos, racism immunity, camping, and runaway snakes.
13. Mo Amer: The Vagabond (2018)
Mo Amer is best known for this comedy special. While his life seems straightforward, Palestinian American Mohammed Amer shares the intricate details of being born in a country different from his motherland. Later, he becomes a US refugee at the age of nine. He recounts the times his name got him into trouble, especially while travelling, as well as his success in finally obtaining US citizenship.
14. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018)
Touching on many aspects of her own life, Australian writer and comedian Hannah Gadsby’s comedy special Nanette won her a Peabody Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. Discussions about mental health, social commentary, bringing comedy into varied life perspectives and moments from Gadsby’s own life and more are in this comedy special.
15. Ricky Gervais: Humanity (2018)
English actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has an unusual opinion regarding different matters. He wrote and performed “Humanity,” which was a tour rather than one single show. From the decision of not having children, the relationship between comedy and taking offence, social media, all the way to animal rights, Gervais promises you continuous laughter.
16. Jerry Before Seinfeld (2017)
Jerry Seinfeld shared his insight about the events of the TV hit show Seinfeld. In this comedy special, which is Jerry’s first on Netflix, he goes back to the place where it all started, Comic Strip Live, in New York City, and takes the audience back to some of the best and favourite lines from the beginning of his career.
17. Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (2017)
Presenter of the hit show Patriot Act, which also aired on Netflix, Hasan Minhaj brings his first comedy special to you in cooperation with Netflix. In this witty and relatable comedy special, Hasan shares his unique experience of growing up in not only an Indian-American family but also a Muslim one. Some claim that “Homecoming King” is Netflix’s best comedy special.
18. Russell Peters: Almost Famous (2016)
Canadian stand-up comedian Russell Peters is famous for bringing the desi side of the story in his stand-up comedies. He goes back to his hometown, Toronto, for this comedy special to talk about all human and seemingly mundane behaviours. From cultural quirks to interesting bathroom visits and, surprisingly, kids’ furniture, Russell Peters has tonnes of stories to tell.
19. Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy (2015)
Anjelah is famous for her different roles on the sketch series MADtv. This comedy special brings American actress and comedian Anjelah Johnson’s take on almost everything. She touches on nail salons and Mexican moms, and even has something to say about acting sensation Liam Neeson.
20. Iliza Shlesinger: Freezing Hot (2015)
This is the second stand-up comedy special that Iliza wrote and performed in cooperation with Netflix, her first being “War Paint” back in 2013. In this comedy special, Iliza shares her intelligent and sharp opinion about the differences between men and women and various other topics, such as silk blouses, Pinterest, and even pumpkin spice lattes.
Netflix comedy specials are countless; we’ve brought you some we believe are worth checking, and we’d love it if you shared your recommendations with us as well.